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Poles, ICCIMA Explore Key Areas of Collaboration

A 100-member business delegation from Poland, headed by undersecretary of state for Africa, Asia and Middle East policy, public and economic diplomacy, Katarzyna Kacperczyk, held talks with head of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA), Gholam-Hossein Shafei and the Iranian business community in Tehran on Monday.

The high ranking delegation, which comprised of representatives from 45 Polish companies expressed interest in expanding business relations with Iran in areas including building construction, oil and gas, machinery and equipments, food and agriculture, green technologies, transportation and consulting services, IRNA reported.

Acknowledging the historical relations between Tehran and Warsaw, Shafei said: “Poland could play an important role in linking Iran to the European Union countries, while Iran provides a gateway for Poland to Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries.”

Referring to nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent member of UN Security Council plus Germany), he expressed optimism that the outcome of these negotiations would lay the groundwork for Iran to expand economic relations with other countries.

“We must strive to take full advantage of the upcoming opportunities to expand cooperation in areas of energy, oil and gas, industrial machinery, ship building industries, organic materials chemistry, pharmaceutical products and modern environmental technologies,” said Shafei.

He expressed hope that the Polish delegation’s visit would usher in a new chapter of bilateral relations, adding that the two countries’ private sectors and chambers of commerce could play a vital role in introducing the business opportunities through exchange of business delegations.

Kacperczyk, for her part, underlined the huge potential for expansion of economic cooperation in transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, clean energy and green technologies, noting that Poland has extensive experience and expertise in these areas.

“Iran is regarded as a strategic and important market for Poland,” she said, adding: “Although most of Poland’s business is with the EU countries, Polish traders are always looking for new markets to expand their businesses.”

Referring to pending trade agreements between the two countries, she called on the two sides to take necessary steps to finalize these agreements in a bid to boost bilateral trade. She also expressed hope that bilateral trade would increase following the lifting of sanctions against Iran.

Trade between Iran and Poland stood at $41 million during the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 20), with exports from Iran accounting for $20 million, according to a report by Eghtesad News.

The two countries have a long history of political and cultural relations. In November 2014, Iran’s ministry of foreign affairs organized a conference to commemorate 540 years of bilateral diplomatic ties.